As expansion teams (first year franchises) for the 1995-96 NBA season, the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies had to choose 27 unprotected players from other NBA teams in the expansion draft on June 24, 1995.[1][2] The event was broadcast on NBC from NBA Entertainment Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey. The Grizzlies won a coin flip over the Raptors and took the sixth overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft; as a result the Raptors received the first selection and the right to select fourteen players in the expansion draft.[3]
The Toronto Raptors were established on September 30, 1993 when the NBA, as part of its expansion into Canada, awarded its 28th franchise to a group headed by Toronto businessman John Bitove.[4] The Vancouver Grizzlies became the league's 29th franchise after the NBA's Board of Governors accepted them on April 27, 1994.[3] The Raptors, along with the Grizzlies, played their first games in 1995, and were the first NBA teams based in Canada since the 1946–47 Toronto Huskies.[4]
Rules
The 27 NBA teams were allowed to protect eight players. Toronto and Vancouver could waive their right to select a player who made more than the league's then average annual salary of $2.65 million.[5] Thus, while not every team had to lose a player in the draft, no team could lose more than one player of the two or three that were left unprotected.
Selections
- Key
| * |
A restricted free agent after the 1994-95 NBA season, becomes an unrestricted free agent when selected in this draft. |
Toronto Raptors
Vancouver Grizzlies
References
- ^ "Charlotte Bobcats-All-Time NBA Expansion Draft Results". NBA.com. http://www.nba.com/bobcats/news/draft_central_expansion_alltime_results.html. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
- ^ "Encyclopedia-NBA Expansion Draft Results". NBA.com. http://www.nba.com/history/expansion_drafts.html. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
- ^ a b "The NBA Settles North of the Border". NBA.com/Grizzlies. http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/history/history_north.html. Retrieved 2009-09-01.
- ^ a b "Laying the Groundwork for the NBA in Toronto". NBA.com/raptors. http://www.nba.com/raptors/history/raptors_history.html. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
- ^ Young, Chris. "NBA teams leave slim pickings at draft table". Toronto Star: pp. E12.
|
Toronto Raptors |
|
| Founded in 1995 • Based in Toronto, Ontario |
|
| The franchise |
|
|
| Arenas |
|
|
| Head coaches |
|
|
| D-League affiliate |
|
|
| Administration |
|
|
| Important players |
|
|
| Other important figures |
|
|
| Division titles (1) |
|
|
| Rivals |
|
|
| Culture and lore |
|
|
| Media |
|
|
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
